Quirky film props, fancy dress attract buyers to garage sale

Dress-up fans flocked in their biggest numbers yet to a costume shop's garage sale to get bargains and perhaps a quirky prop or two.

Around 180 people attended the sale at First Scene Costume and Party Hire in Avondale recently, nearly double the number at previous events which have been held annually since 2008.

The costume store also rents their outfits and props out to film, television, and theatre productions.

Director Jo Pilkington said that the last couple of years have been tough due to the pandemic and strikes.

“Last year was also challenging because we had the SAG [American actors' union] and writer’s strikes.

“In New Zealand, a lot of overseas films and TV shows are filmed partly or all in New Zealand. And there will be things you might not be aware of, like Power Rangers and Sweet Tooth. So, when the strike came into play, in February and March of last year, all those productions left the country.”

The garage sale is also part of the business’s desire to avoid waste.

“Our philosophy has always been to avoid landfill. So, if we can offer you the purchase of a Top and Tail jacket that is gorgeous for five dollars that you might wear to a school ball or you might wear it to a theatre event, then it is not going to landfill. It is not going to rag bins.”

The sale does not just benefit the business but also shoppers who may be looking for a good deal.

Festival attendee James Picot said that he went for the cheap costumes.

“I go to heaps of costume parties and festivals. So, I figured that this was a good place to get cheap festival gear.

“I’m putting on a medieval themed festival, so I got a couple of furs and some helmets.”

Comedian Rhiannon McCall said that she was a returning customer.

“I just saw an event on Facebook, I’ve hired here before and just wanted to see what was here.”